Spending our summer days...

 making thank you cards!

 eating fresh fruit!

 finding fun things at the thrift store!

playing with freshly groomed puppies!

It has been an ordeal!

Ashlynn left yesterday (July 29) to go to the orthodontist to get her braces off!  When she got back...we went shopping to get a couple more things on "the college list".  The girls both had the day off...and that doesn't happen very often...if ever!  We had lunch at Panera and enjoyed the fact that we could eat in the dining area!  The girls reminded me that we don't have very many of these opportunities left!  I sit and just watch them.  I listen to them.  It has occurred to me a few times that this year is going to be harder...both girls gone at the same time!  I have my two guys and my two furry girls to keep me busy...but BOTH girl chairs empty...that is sad and exciting all at the same time!

We paused in Target to answer a couple texts...and for me to breathe.  I get so aggravated with the lack of oxygen and get crabby.  "Mom, just take it off for a minute!"  I do my best to be a good example to our children, but I will not sacrifice my health and sanity because of the fear of others.  I comply because we needed to go in to the store...but as soon as I am in the door...my nose gets the fresh air or I get a headache.  I have done enough research to know that extra carbon dioxide is not good for me!  I am sick and tired of rude stares of people who think that my nose peeking out of my mask is going to affect them.  Whatever happened to "Mind your own business!"?

Fear has taken away all common sense and search for knowledge that will help people make informed decisions.  All the lessons my mother taught me still apply today!  

I guess not everyone's mother drilled into them...

"Cover your mouth when you cough/sneeze."  

"If you are sick, stay home and rest!" 

 "Wash your hands...with soap!"

"If you can't say something nice, say nothing at all!"

"Don't stare at people...it is rude!"

Yet...here we are...in 2020...living in fear and chaos over basic hygiene practices...

all the while neglecting the other information that we have also learned 

in Health, Physical Education, and Science classes 

about the spreading of germs, healthy immune systems, and the dangers of toxic gases.  

I have never relied on "other people" to tell me how to take care of myself and my family...

why would I start now?  There are only certain people that qualify as my counsellors and advisors.  And especially relying on people who have lied and repeatedly changed the facts that they are choosing...for us but not following themselves... 

to fit the narrative that they are trying to force on the American people.  

Excuse me...but I don't trust people who kill people.  Period.  Never have and never will.

  I pray that our children have seen the importance of reading and researching for their own benefit!  They have seen and heard much over these last few months.  I am thankful that we have children who listen and learn from others.  I am thankful they have seen the importance of discernment when applying God's Word...and have learned the 

danger of picking and choosing what we will follow or not follow.  

My mind always goes back to 

James 1:8 "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."  

  We stopped and picked up Ashlynn's retainer on the way home.  She now has a cute little lisp while she gets used to it.  Our little chair fillers are now adults!  We have done our best to teach and train them.  We have watched them become their own people.  We pray that they will do their best to think of others...yet know when enough is enough.  

We have learned lots of lessons as we navigated the whole orthodontic scene...

painful surgery

passing of our doctor

cancelled appointments

new office take-over

question till you get the answers

heavy cost

uncomfortable procedure

pain

missed trip

waiting and waiting

hold people accountable for what they say

Covid crazy appointments

When I see Ashlynn's smile...I see it was worth it.  The tooth in the roof of her mouth could not stay there.  It had to be dealt with while she was young so as not to have a problem when she was older.  There had to be pain and hardship to get all of this right!  

As I spend time with our girls,  I watch them and listen to them.  I know what we invested over these last 18 and 19 years...there was pain and cost and hardship...but I see what all of those things have produced!  I am reminded in all of the ups and downs of life...that people matter.

Some people in our lives along the way have twisted those ups and downs for their own benefit and purpose.  There has been hurt and pain...but through it all...there has been peace because we knew where to go for help and truth.  God's Word has provided stability...even in all the crazy!  

So any ordeal that we go through with (or without) our children...we can always point back to the lessons we have learned.  God is faithful through every trial and test.  His Words are true and just.  We cling to the whole counsel of God, not just the parts we like or fit our narrative!

What is worth fighting for???

Truth...

and people's lives!

Taking time to be hospitable!

 My sis brought the prettiest mini carnations this morning...I added them to Alisa's pink roses and the bouquet is so stunning!  I didn't take pictures of my guests, but we had a lovely time of conversation, coffee, and yummy food.

 A gift of fresh peaches fresh from the peach truck from Georgia!

 Chicken salad and fresh baked lemon blueberry scones for lunch!

Mom, we used pretty cups and the green depression glass to make everything pretty and girly!  Using the pretty things we have makes an ordinary day special...and sharing it...makes it extraordinary!

Boys will be boys!

 The guys got the truck ready to go to Silver Lake Sand Dunes on Friday!  It was a great day for the dunes!  They had a little excitement as they got to the top and the front tire "popped the bead".  They got it changed and then the shop in town put it back on the rim.  The day was a success and ended at the Chicken Shack!  Thanks to Sean for the recommendation!

"What did you buy now?"

In the "old" days, we went to garage sales.  In these days, I go to Facebook marketplace!  I have something I am looking for and I watch and wait for the right deal near me...and yes, sometimes, I have to wait for a good while. BUT...I always find what I'm looking for for cheap!!!  I have scored big in the last two weeks!  I was looking for a grown up nightstand that would match our bed and existing antique dresser.  Found one...beautiful antique for $30!

 I wanted a cushy, solid chair for my reading corner at school.  Two kinders can sit on it together...found one from a couple who was moving for $15.  Alisa told me the colors didn't quite work with the vibe of my school room, "you have bright colors...this isn't going to work"...so I bought a dark gray chair cover on amazon and recovered the throw pillows with cloth napkins that were once valances for the kitchen in the trailer!

 Chica helped me as I sat and sewed...she made sure the pillows were handy!

 I'm working hard to keep my flowers from dying in this Michigan heat and lack of rain!  The storms that were coming for today seem to have fallen apart!  More watering for me today.

 Ted and Teddy worked on Saturday to clean the garage.  Slowly and surely this is becoming a workable space!  I am listening to the ring of a hammer right now as Ted gets a car ready for college.

 My most recent purchase was picked up yesterday afternoon...a patio rug!  After painting the deck white...we noticed that it was so bright when we sat out there.  I bought a stencil to paint...and liked the idea and how it was looking...but it was going to take forever to do.  I didn't want to spend an arm and a leg (all the new 9x12 rugs were over $140) on a rug and wanted to keep the color scheme I already had.

Patience while scrolling through fb marketplace again...someone moving was selling this for $20! Score!  It is fun to be thrifty!  And I have been able to reuse and recycle some things too!

I still find joy in feathering our nest.  As our girls are getting ready to fly away to college soon, I am doing my best to be home and be present...to make this last month at home a place they want to be and come back to each break.  Soon our nest will be empty...and that is amazing to grasp!

Never made this before...

 but I remember Gram Carlson making it.  I am thinking she made a pink lemonade pie...we will try that one too!  This was just the regular lemonade pie in a store bought graham cracker crust.

 "It tastes like summer!"  "It is refreshing."  "It isn't too lemony!"  I think those were satisfactory reviews!  And win for me...extra filling in the Cool Whip container in the freezer to use on these cookies I found at Aldi.  Yum!

Grand Haven Girls' Trip 2020

Alisa's Open House 2020

 For our girlie girl...flowers and pretty colors!  It was hot but God sent a wonderful strong breeze and occasional clouds for relief from the July 18 heat.

 We put out cupcakes as needed so they would not melt in the heat...mocha, strawberry lemonade, and funfetti flavors!  Pretty pink roses from Grammy and Grammy!

 Colorful ribbons hanging from the tree with pictures of Alisa...a good way to social distance and still look at pictures!

 Waiting for guests...

 Many people took time to come and wish Alisa congratulations!

 The matching uncles!

 A Dad who goes over and above and beyond to show his love for his family...and who leaves fun pictures on my phone!

 Cousins and company!

 Family supper after the party...in the cool house!!!

 Stories around the tables!

 Fun and generous gifts!

 Playmates for furry friends!

 A fun full day with family and friends!  Another chapter closed...and the flipping of pages has begun as we get ready for another part of our family's story.